Doc Martin (Part 13 — Spoilers)

But, they are a part of the landscape of PW. They have been roaming up and down the streets since S1, and it is interesting to me how at that young age they are interested in not only their own age group goings on, but the villagers in general.

Well, wandering alone doesn't make a Greek Chorus. They are more a type of nosy, gossipy high school type clique to me.

Louisa is what, now around 40 years old? I wonder why she still wears that ponytail all the time.

Last night it came to me that that may be an outward sign of where her emotions stagnated. They say that when someone starts abusing drugs/alcohol that's where their emotional development stops. It's not that extreme for LG, who is of course a very functional member of society.

BUT, if she was a ponytail wearing ten years old when her mom left, and was deeply traumatized by that abandonment, I wonder if that is why she's stayed with that haircut all these years and did not develop a more mature womanly style. Perhaps not consciously, but as a deep emotional stagnancy, she is stuck at 10 years old in some ways, deeply wishing for a mother. We saw clear evidence of this in S5 with her need for her problematic, irresponsible, selfish mother in her life.

I almost think if she gives up that ponytail, it would be good for her emotionally and in her relationship with DM. Just some early morning thoughts.

I would like to see Louisa with her hair down more often, only because she has such beautiful hair. However, I don't mind the ponytail. I think it represents Louisa's niceness and modesty. And, I think that's one of the reasons that Martin fell in love with Louisa. She doesn't dress or act provocatively. My mother told me years ago, that boyfriends and husbands don't mind other women acting or dressing sexily, but they want the women that they are serious about, to be modest out in public (at home, in the privacy of their own bedroom, that's a different story!).

Besides, I think it's kind of sweet, that a grown man falls in love with a grown woman who wears a ponytail. And, Louisa can't lose her ponytail entirely, it's become her trademark!

Last edited by ReneeBird : 15-05-2012 at 17:36.
Reason: Had another thought.

What is that saying--"A woman's hair is her crown and glory". They certainly had Carolyn Catz in mind. I have always admired the thickness and color of her hair and how many different ways she can wear it in DM series. Me, I have always kept my hair the same old style and short length, never having the nerve to go beyond my comfort zone. In DM series she can wear a pony tail, upsweep hairdo or down straight and brushed out--still looking beautiful any which way!

Louisa is what, now around 40 years old? I wonder why she still wears that ponytail all the time.

Last night it came to me that that may be an outward sign of where her emotions stagnated. They say that when someone starts abusing drugs/alcohol that's where their emotional development stops. It's not that extreme for LG, who is of course a very functional member of society.

BUT, if she was a ponytail wearing ten years old when her mom left, and was deeply traumatized by that abandonment, I wonder if that is why she's stayed with that haircut all these years and did not develop a more mature womanly style. Perhaps not consciously, but as a deep emotional stagnancy, she is stuck at 10 years old in some ways, deeply wishing for a mother. We saw clear evidence of this in S5 with her need for her problematic, irresponsible, selfish mother in her life.

I almost think if she gives up that ponytail, it would be good for her emotionally and in her relationship with DM. Just some early morning thoughts.

I struggle to make sense of the LG character, frankly. This was noted recently, and frequently in the forum before, but LG changes and adapts to the plot lines, not always with interior consistency. In my last post I mentioned that it is hard for me to see LG as someone coming from the lower classes. I might say this is also true, to a degree, with regard to the idea that she comes from a broken home. Child abandonment, particularly by the mother, can leave serious emotional scars, which play out in later life in the form of low self esteem, abuse of alcohol and/or drugs, a history of serial relationships, which are often abusive, etc. None of this describes what we know of LG. Perhaps she exhibits “hyper-responsibility” – substituting in her life with her dad and then beyond for the caretaking that went missing when Eleanor left. But I don’t feel that her character has been well enough developed, organically, to articulate a clear profile of her personal and psychological needs. Not enough, anyway, to make sense of the ponytail as a symptom of an underlying emotional wound.

But I don’t feel that her character has been well enough developed, organically, to articulate a clear profile of her personal and psychological needs. Not enough, anyway, to make sense of the ponytail as a symptom of an underlying emotional wound.

I am hopeful that the BP, et al., have realized that Louisa's character needs to be developed more fully and presented more consistently this series. It is only fair to Caroline Catz, who must have had a hard time making sense of her character's motivations at times. She is brilliant, of course, and in the hands of a lesser actress, the character might have been less understandable.

I struggle to make sense of the LG character, frankly. This was noted recently, and frequently in the forum before, but LG changes and adapts to the plot lines, not always with interior consistency. In my last post I mentioned that it is hard for me to see LG as someone coming from the lower classes. I might say this is also true, to a degree, with regard to the idea that she comes from a broken home. Child abandonment, particularly by the mother, can leave serious emotional scars, which play out in later life in the form of low self esteem, abuse of alcohol and/or drugs, a history of serial relationships, which are often abusive, etc. None of this describes what we know of LG. Perhaps she exhibits “hyper-responsibility” – substituting in her life with her dad and then beyond for the caretaking that went missing when Eleanor left. But I don’t feel that her character has been well enough developed, organically, to articulate a clear profile of her personal and psychological needs. Not enough, anyway, to make sense of the ponytail as a symptom of an underlying emotional wound.

Well, I'm not a psychologist, and am not making any formal diagnoses but it is interesting to think about that there is some reason why she continues to wear that hair style much longer than most women her age. I was just musing out loud. It seems like it might be one possibility, but who knows really?

I do agree that LG has not been that well developed in all areas, although there are some pretty good consistencies.

Perhaps, now that MC is not filming this Spring, he has found time to review S5 and see why his idea of the colder, lack of affection doc (towards LG) didn't quite go over with the fans and he will thaw out in S6 and at last give us what we have been patiently waiting for, or else he and the writers will have to go into seclusion at the conclusion of S6E8!! As a footnote, if there is a bedroom scene, just give us a tasteful, loving scene with LG. That's all we ask for, to make his love for Louisa visually believable to us.

What is gone from S5 is the rolling, good feeling episodes of the first three series IMO and even by a stretch of my imagination some of S4.

And maybe, just maybe, a smile. You know how to smile don't ya Doc? You just turn up your mouth at the corners! Maybe, Louisa can help him practice! People usually smile when they laugh. Have we ever heard Doc Martin laugh?

Yes...and where there are girls..there are boys. However, we only got to see the wandering group of boys once in S2, they yelled out to Louisa "alright Miss!" when she persuaded Martin to help her at the school fair. I'd like to see the wandering boys more often. I like seeing young good looking lads on the show. All those boys that got stung by the fish were cute. Also, prison cook Mick, extremely handsome and I wish he had stuck around. Younger characters on the show may draw a wider audience. Can't have all old people.

Well, I'm not a psychologist, and am not making any formal diagnoses but it is interesting to think about that there is some reason why she continues to wear that hair style much longer than most women her age. I was just musing out loud. It seems like it might be one possibility, but who knows really?

I do agree that LG has not been that well developed in all areas, although there are some pretty good consistencies.

But you made a good point about the ponytail. Anything is possible with the way this character is written (or not). Could be that she continues to wear her hair in that style because of an arrested development issue, or it could be that it's a symbol of her childhood problems. Or maybe it's as simple as she looks good in it and/or it's become a kind of LG trademark. No way to know for sure, but I like hearing about & thinking about assorted possibilities.

I struggle to make sense of the LG character, frankly. This was noted recently, and frequently in the forum before, but LG changes and adapts to the plot lines, not always with interior consistency. In my last post I mentioned that it is hard for me to see LG as someone coming from the lower classes. I might say this is also true, to a degree, with regard to the idea that she comes from a broken home. Child abandonment, particularly by the mother, can leave serious emotional scars, which play out in later life in the form of low self esteem, abuse of alcohol and/or drugs, a history of serial relationships, which are often abusive, etc. None of this describes what we know of LG. Perhaps she exhibits “hyper-responsibility” – substituting in her life with her dad and then beyond for the caretaking that went missing when Eleanor left. But I don’t feel that her character has been well enough developed, organically, to articulate a clear profile of her personal and psychological needs. Not enough, anyway, to make sense of the ponytail as a symptom of an underlying emotional wound.

I think we all suffer from the same frustration with the lack of development of the LG character. One consistency, though, is her constant super-duper-hyper "I can manage" mantra. She says it to everyone, over and over, in one form or another. To Martin, to Bert, to Al, to Morwenna, to Pauline, to Aunt Joan, to the ladies at the shower, to Chris Parsons ("I won't be fending"). Which means, of course, to me, that she protests too much. She's really somewhat unsure of herself and sometimes does have difficulty managing.

I suspect that when LG was a child, Terry couldn't necessarily be relied upon, may not have been around much, obviously put the family into dire financial straits, and then when Eleanor left, LG at age 11 felt she more or less had to take charge & hold things together. She may well have latched onto this "I can manage" persona then and there when possibly quizzed by concerned friends or neighbors. We know from "On the Edge" that she had a sibling, & if this was a younger sibling, LG may have had to step into a motherly role at age 11. I think that's when this I-can-do-it-all-on-my-own thing started.

But you made a good point about the ponytail. Anything is possible with the way this character is written (or not). Could be that she continues to wear her hair in that style because of an arrested development issue, or it could be that it's a symbol of her childhood problems. Or maybe it's as simple as she looks good in it and/or it's become a kind of LG trademark. No way to know for sure, but I like hearing about & thinking about assorted possibilities.

CC looks great in it and it allows her to play younger - even a tired younger in S5. Okay, I'll just say it: S6 I want her tired from fun in bed with the Doc! If she puts her mind to it and - ponytail or no - can't get his interest, he'll end up in his y-fronts eating a fish by himself.

I think we all suffer from the same frustration with the lack of development of the LG character. One consistency, though, is her constant super-duper-hyper "I can manage" mantra. She says it to everyone, over and over, in one form or another. To Martin, to Bert, to Al, to Morwenna, to Pauline, to Aunt Joan, to the ladies at the shower, to Chris Parsons ("I won't be fending"). Which means, of course, to me, that she protests too much. She's really somewhat unsure of herself and sometimes does have difficulty managing.

I suspect that when LG was a child, Terry couldn't necessarily be relied upon, may not have been around much, obviously put the family into dire financial straits, and then when Eleanor left, LG at age 11 felt she more or less had to take charge & hold things together. She may well have latched onto this "I can manage" persona then and there when possibly quizzed by concerned friends or neighbors. We know from "On the Edge" that she had a sibling, & if this was a younger sibling, LG may have had to step into a motherly role at age 11. I think that's when this I-can-do-it-all-on-my-own thing started.

Great insight. We saw it particularly in her unrealistic notion of how easily she could cope with a demanding fulltime job, and a newborn, on her own.

I think it's this kind of bravado that gives her a kind of vulnerability that may be one source of her appeal for DM.

MC is going to be at the Jubilee Windsor Horse Show tomorrow, don't know whether it is being televised, if so could someone be kind and put on YT. Thks

To be televised in June (d/k date). I was there and he was sat
two rows in front ofme until he went on stage and introduced
for a while. He looked so smart in his dickie bow, very happy -
smiling at everyone too and at the end walked past as he
went to meet the Queen which you could watch on a large
screen. The whole evening was amazing especially the french horse whisperer and his beautiful animals do watch it.
Freezing cold though - person nearby was sat zipped in a
sleeping bag !!

CC looks great in it and it allows her to play younger - even a tired younger in S5. Okay, I'll just say it: S6 I want her tired from fun in bed with the Doc! If she puts her mind to it and - ponytail or no - can't get his interest, he'll end up in his y-fronts eating a fish by himself.

To be televised in June (d/k date). I was there and he was sattwo rows in front ofme until he went on stage and introduced for a while. He looked so smart in his dickie bow, very happy -smiling at everyone too and at the end walked past as hewent to meet the Queen which you could watch on a largescreen. The whole evening was amazing especially the french horse whisperer and his beautiful animals do watch it.Freezing cold though - person nearby was sat zipped in asleeping bag !!

To be televised in June (d/k date). I was there and he was sat
two rows in front ofme until he went on stage and introduced
for a while. He looked so smart in his dickie bow, very happy -
smiling at everyone too and at the end walked past as he
went to meet the Queen which you could watch on a large
screen. The whole evening was amazing especially the french horse whisperer and his beautiful animals do watch it.
Freezing cold though - person nearby was sat zipped in a
sleeping bag !!

CC looks great in it and it allows her to play younger - even a tired younger in S5. Okay, I'll just say it: S6 I want her tired from fun in bed with the Doc! If she puts her mind to it and - ponytail or no - can't get his interest, he'll end up in his y-fronts eating a fish by himself.

LG may wear her hair in a pony tail because of years of being a primary school teacher - it's quick to do, looks tidy and is easy to redo if a child pulls it out.

To be televised in June (d/k date). I was there and he was sat
two rows in front ofme until he went on stage and introduced
for a while. He looked so smart in his dickie bow, very happy -
smiling at everyone too and at the end walked past as he
went to meet the Queen which you could watch on a large
screen. The whole evening was amazing especially the french horse whisperer and his beautiful animals do watch it.
Freezing cold though - person nearby was sat zipped in a
sleeping bag !!

You lucky dog! Imagine being able to sit and stare at MC like that for a couple of hours. Color me jealous!

I think we all suffer from the same frustration with the lack of development of the LG character. One consistency, though, is her constant super-duper-hyper "I can manage" mantra. She says it to everyone, over and over, in one form or another. To Martin, to Bert, to Al, to Morwenna, to Pauline, to Aunt Joan, to the ladies at the shower, to Chris Parsons ("I won't be fending"). Which means, of course, to me, that she protests too much. She's really somewhat unsure of herself and sometimes does have difficulty managing.

I suspect that when LG was a child, Terry couldn't necessarily be relied upon, may not have been around much, obviously put the family into dire financial straits, and then when Eleanor left, LG at age 11 felt she more or less had to take charge & hold things together. She may well have latched onto this "I can manage" persona then and there when possibly quizzed by concerned friends or neighbors. We know from "On the Edge" that she had a sibling, & if this was a younger sibling, LG may have had to step into a motherly role at age 11. I think that's when this I-can-do-it-all-on-my-own thing started.

I agree about LG’s obsessive independence and need to prove herself. It is almost pathological. I used the term “hyper-responsible” as a way to describe her response to the same things you mention. Her being thrust into a parental/ caretaker role, even for her father, could explain the need to be independent – she had to be independent to survive, so it must be true and forcefully asserted. This is sometimes described as a generational boundary distortion – being a parent at an early age to your parents and in place of them. All of her “I can manage” and won’t be a “kept woman” declarations may flow from a need to convince herself that her childhood role was somehow okay – even appropriate. In a way, it was, as she had little choice.

I agree about LG’s obsessive independence and need to prove herself. It is almost pathological. I used the term “hyper-responsible” as a way to describe her response to the same things you mention. Her being thrust into a parental/ caretaker role, even for her father, could explain the need to be independent – she had to be independent to survive, so it must be true and forcefully asserted. This is sometimes described as a generational boundary distortion – being a parent at an early age to your parents and in place of them. All of her “I can manage” and won’t be a “kept woman” declarations may flow from a need to convince herself that her childhood role was somehow okay – even appropriate. In a way, it was, as she had little choice.

"Obsessive independence" -- that's a good description. Wouldn't it be nice if in S6 we actually see these two somehow delve into their pasts & try to figure out what makes them tick? I'm sure it would be awkward, but that would make it even more interesting. I wonder what the chances are.

Great insight. We saw it particularly in her unrealistic notion of how easily she could cope with a demanding fulltime job, and a newborn, on her own.

I think it's this kind of bravado that gives her a kind of vulnerability that may be one source of her appeal for DM.

I agree with you, yes! I do think that's one of the things that draws DM to her. Same thing toward him from her perspective. Didn't MC describe DM as "fragile"? I think LG knows this is in there underneath the brash, competent, take-charge layer. Their hidden vulnerabilities pull them toward each other. Like magnets.